Qiulae Wong
New Zealand politician (born 1988)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Qiulae Wong (/kjuː.leɪ/; born 1988, also known by her initial 'Q') is a New Zealand businesswoman and politician who is the current leader of The Opportunity Party (TOP). She took over the position in November 2025 following the resignation of Raf Manji.
.jpg)
Qiulae Wong | |
|---|---|
Wong in 2026 | |
| 5th Leader of The Opportunity Party | |
| Assumed office November 2025 | |
| Deputy | Daniel Eb[1] |
| Preceded by | Raf Manji |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 1988 (age 38)[2] |
| Citizenship | New Zealand |
| Party | The Opportunity Party |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland |
| Occupation | Politician, businesswoman |
| Website | www |
Early life and career
Qiulae Wong was born in Fiji[3] in May 1988[2][4][better source needed]. Wong is of Chinese and European descent.[3][5] She grew up in the Auckland suburb of One Tree Hill.[6]
She graduated from the University of Auckland with a double degree in law and politics.[7] She went on to work as a sustainable business consultant at KPMG.[4]
Leader of The Opportunity Party (2025–present)
TOP had been without a permanent leader since the 2023 departure of Raf Manji.[8][9] Wong was chosen from among several applicants to lead the party as its fifth-ever leader in the 2026 election.[10][8][11] Wong was chosen as party leader despite not having wide name recognition or prior experience in parliament, which is atypical in New Zealand politics.[12][7] When Wong became the leader she shortened the party's name to "Opportunity".[7][13][4]
2026 general election
Wong announced that the party would contest the 2026 general election in November[14] with a more centrist platform.[15] including reducing house prices through a land value tax, and introducing a "Citizen's Voice," consisting of citizens' assemblies for certain major issues.[16] The party began increasing its communications to voters in preparation for the election in 2026,[15] with a variety of community and television appearances.[17]
Wong has emphasised the need for the party to broaden its appeal to ordinary voters,[4] acknowledging past criticism that the party focused heavily on detailed policy at the expense of connecting with the electorate.[11][18] As part of this repositioning, Wong has described three broad areas of policy focus: combatting 'divisive politics', including through the use of citizens’ assemblies on complex issues;[4] building New Zealand's 'next economy'; and prioritising environmental restoration as a foundation for long-term economic activity.[7]
TOP's platform under her leadership has a focus on economic growth and includes a major "tax reset" proposal.[citation needed] She supports implementing a Ratepayer Assistance Scheme to provide low-interest loans for electric upgrades, arguing that transitioning away from gas is an "equity issue" for lower-income New Zealanders.[19] She has advocated for policies such as a land value tax, a citizens' income for most adults, and a flat income tax to address housing affordability and wealth inequality.[20][16] These proposals are part of Wong's broader pitch that New Zealand needs fundamental changes to its tax system to support families and small businesses.[21][22]
On 13 February 2026, Wong announced that the party would campaign to replace all forms of welfare assistance, including superannuation, with a means-tested income support for citizens. Unlike universal basic income, people earning more than NZ$350,000 a year would not be eligible for it. The citizen's income policy would be funded by a land value tax, and savings from the benefits that would be replaced.[23] On 16 February, Wong confirmed she would contest the Mount Albert electorate.[24][25]
Personal life
During the nine years she spent in London, she met her husband, Grant, who is originally from Palmerston North.[13] The couple married and started a family while living overseas. Wong has two daughters.[26] She had her first daughter, Marlia, in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown.[27] Wong has said publicly that the birth of her first daughter prompted a desire to reconnect with family and ultimately her relocation back to New Zealand in 2022.[28] After returning to New Zealand in 2022, Wong gave birth to their second daughter, Cleo.[29] Wong and her family now reside in Auckland.[10] She credits her daughters as being her biggest inspirations.[26]